Unum Group’s community partnerships support education in Maine and South Carolina

Unum Group’s commitment to helping people thrive is at the foundation of our approach to social responsibility. By supporting organizations that enable students to succeed in postsecondary education and in the workplace, we make a lasting impact on our communities. 

Created by Unum Group, the Education Leaders Experience (ELE) helps bridge the gap that can sometimes exist between education and skills needed in the workplace. This unique professional development opportunity equips educational leaders with tools and resources to understand the evolving talent needs of today’s companies and organizations and better align activities in the classroom to address those needs.  

Established in 2012 in partnership with Educate Maine , ELE has connected education leaders with business, community, and policy leaders around the state over the last 13 years. To date, more than 325 classroom teachers, principals and other school administrators have gained exposure to businesses across the state in various sectors to highlight the skills and qualifications that are most in demand. 

“Enhancing education through charitable funding and support for programs and services that prepare students for college and career success is a main goal of Unum’s corporate social responsibility strategy. By enabling the professional development and growth of educators as they work to prepare students for the workforce of the future, we are helping to create better outcomes in our home communities,” said Cary Olson Cartright, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. 

In 2016, the ELE program expanded to South Carolina and is administered in partnership with the Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP)  at the University of South Carolina. More than 180 educators in South Carolina have graduated from ELE SC. 

With a mission of championing career readiness, Unum Group, its ELE partners and – most importantly – our education leader participants are helping influence educational systems to respond to ever-evolving workforce needs.